FREYCINET NATIONAL PARK

We decided to wonder around Freycinet national park along the Wineglass Bay route. We rambled (English term for going walkabout) for about 5 hours along the circle track.

The rail lead us from the car park to the top of the mountain then down through the bushland to Wineglass Bay. From there we wandered back up to the car park.

Although it was a reasonable temperature (low 20's C) it was very warm walking in the sun. In contrast up the top of the mountain it was fairly windy so it was a bit nippy.






As we walked we took some pictures of the beautiful views.

This is a picture of Wineglass Bay from the top of the mountain.

As we were walking we stumbled across a grass tree which was once commonly known as a 'black boy' (Xanthorhoea sp.). I haven't seen one for a very long time and this is a fine specimen.

It also works well as a Mohawk.

When we reached the beach it was pristine.
It was too cold for a swim but sitting there and looking at the view was fantastic.

Copping Museum

On our way to Port Arthur we went past several museums, art galleries, etc but didn't stop. However, we did stop at the Copping Museum as our guides had been there before and it was a 'must see'.

One tourist guide states:

The Copping Colonial Convict Exhibition is a collection of convict memorabilia which features a diverse range of convict-era relics and antiques. The collection includes childhood treasures and one of only three cars manufactured in Australia in the 19th century. You can browse through the array of authentic artefact's and gain an insight in the Tasman Peninsula's convict history.

Sounds ok.

In retrospect it was a 'must see to believe'. Absolutely freaky!






On pulling into the car park we noticed the unusual decorations; the highlight of which was the mannequins (above).

These were made by the original owner/curator. They move!

Actually, all the mannequins move and were designed to show visitors items in motion.

Scary stuff for me.

The inside museum consisted of two main rooms and was basically a Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD) persons version of a nightmare. Everything was piled everywhere and hanging from the roof. However, there were loose themes where similar items were near each other.

Dust was everywhere as you couldn't conceivable clean everything. And it smelled of dust and old mold (especially where the dolls were)

Everyone else was engrossed in the items on display and wasn't as disturbed as I was.

Or so I thought.

Apparently the collection of dolls did give the others the creeps but this was due to their eyes (some were broken whilst others seemed to follow you).
I noticed that a lot of the items would be quite valuable if sold at auction. I asked the lady at the reception and she informed me that they'd had offers for some pieces (often well above the price they'd get at auction) however, they'd refused to sell. They believe that it would diminish the museum if they did this.

The original owner was known locally as the 'junk man' as he would collect anything that was tossed out. He was married and I got the impression that his wife was ok with this eccentricity as long as it was contained in the shed. The shed, by the way, had obviously been extended several times.
I thought I'd seen the whole collection when I went out the back door. I was wrong.

There were several large 'art pieces' made by the owner in his more creative moments.

PORT ARTHUR

Port Arthur is a small town and former convict settlement. From 1833, until the 1850s, it was the destination for the hardest of convicted British and Irish criminals, those who were secondary offenders having re-offended after their arrival in Australia.

Rebellious personalities from other convict stations were also sent here, a quite undesirable punishment.

In many ways Port Arthur was the pin-up for many of the penal reform movement, despite shipping, housing and slave-labour use of convicts being as harsh, or worse, than others stations around the nation.

Inside the Penitentiary which was originally built as a flour mill.

The church was a good 10 mins walk from the Penitentiary

Despite their isolation and sparseness the houses were lovely inside.











This was the accommodation for those realeased prisiners who ended up as paupers.

In addition Port Arthur had some of the strictest security measures of the British penal system.
One example is the "Separate Prison" system based on Pentonville prison in London. The Separate Prison (sometimes known as The Model Prison) was completed in 1853 and extended in 1855. The 80 cell prison was built in the shape of a cross with radial exercise yards around a central hall and chapel.

It signalled a shift from physical punishment to psychological punishment. It was thought that the hard corporal punishment, such as whippings, used in other penal stations only served to harden criminals, and did nothing to turn them from their immoral ways.

Under this system of punishment the "Silent System" was implemented in the building. Here prisoners were hooded and made to stay silent, this was supposed to allow time for the prisoner to reflect upon the actions which had brought him there.

Below is an example of the cells which contained a set of rules which the prisoners where required to obey.












On 28 April 1996, Martin Bryant went on a killing spree at Port Arthur, murdering 35 people and wounding 37 more before being captured by Special Operatives Police. This led to a national ban on semi-automatic shotguns and rifles. It also forged a relationship between the town and Dunblane, Scotland which suffered a similar incident earlier that year.

Hobart Botanic Gardens

We wondered around Tasmania's Botanic Gardens which overlooked the sea. The gardens were on the side of the hill and were relatively steep.
They made up a lady bug and a Tasmanian devil (above).
They had various themed gardens i.e. cactus, and Japanese, etc.

HOBART

Failing To Enter Our Hotel Room

We effortlessly booked into our hotel and went to our rooms.

The card for our room wouldn’t open our door. After many attempts and a slight argument I went downstairs to reception to ask for the card to be fixed. The receptionist recoded the card and I went back up stairs. Again, it didn’t work and again I went down to reception. This time the receptionist came up with me but it didn’t work.

In the end we went out for a walked and the receptionist promised that the issue would be rectified when we returned.

Hunter Street

Walked around Hobart and stumbled down Hunter Street. I thought of my nephew when I saw the sign hence the photo.

Hunter St has a row of fine Georgian warehouses (including the old IXL jam factory) that have recently been restored and now house the super-swish Henry Jones Art Hotel, Hobart's new hot spot, plus affiliated restaurants and a couple of art galleries.

While this development has remained true to the heritage of the area and retains much of its original facade.

IXL Factory & No Lunch

Here we discovered the IXL factor restaurant (http://www.archmedia.com.au/aa/aaissue.php?issueid=200601&article=13&typeon=2) where we’d decided to have lunch.

The restaurant opened out into an internal courtyard which was tastefully decorated with the odds and ends from the factory.

We sat down and ordered. We watched the very young staff (approx 16 or 17) flounder around for approx 15mins before seeing the girl that took our order appear to leave. Another 10mins passed and not even our drinks were delivered.

We managed to hail the youngest waitress who couldn’t find our order. We were finally told that the order hadn’t been put into the system.

We all stormed out only to hear another customer complaining that they hadn’t been served either. We were extremely disappointed as the menu and layout were sooo promising.

Seafood Lunch

We wondered around a bit more and enjoyed the views of Sullivans Cove. Whilst enjoying the moored boats we stumbled across Mures (http://www.mures.com.au) seafood restaurant and fishmongers.

As it was pleasant but windy we sat inside but next to the large glass panels. The view was of the small dock.

We ordered various baskets (fish & chips, oysters & chips, etc) and a few drinks. It was quite busy yet their service was prompt. Everyone enjoyed their meals.

Wandering Around Town Centre

We decided to continue our discovery of Hobart and walked passed the Town Hall down to Parliament House (and square), through St David's park to Salamnca Place.

This is a picturesque row of sandstone warehouses on Sullivans Cove, is a classic example of Australian colonial architecture dating from the 1830s, it was the hub of Hobart Town's trade and commerce.

By the mid-20th century, many of the buildings had fallen into ruin.

Since the 1970s these buidings have become the warehouses as home to restaurants, cafes, bars and shops.

Battery Point

To reach Battery Point from Salamanca Place we climbed up Kelly's Steps, which are wedged between two warehouses about halfway along the main block of buildings.

An empty rum bottle's throw from the once notorious Sullivans Cove waterfront, the old maritime village of Battery Point is a nest of tiny lanes and 19th-century cottages, packed together like shanghaied landlubbers in a ship's belly.

Its name derives from the 1818 gun battery that stood on the promontory, protecting Hobart Town from nautical threats both real and imagined.

During colonial times this area was a colourful maritime village, home to master mariners, shipwrights, sailors, fishers, coopers and merchants.

The houses reflect the occupants' varying lifestyles, ranging from tiny one- and two-room houses, such as those around Arthur Circus, to mansions. While most houses are still occupied by locals, many are now guesthouses.

Battery Point's pubs, churches, conjoined houses and narrow winding streets have all been lovingly preserved and are a delight to wander around, especially when you get glimpses of the harbour between the buildings. Highlights of the area include Arthur Circus, a circle of quaint little cottages built around a village green, and St George's Anglican Church (Cromwell St).

Throughout our wandering we found it quite odd that it was very quiet. I understand that its summer holidays but even so it’s like a sleepy town even on a business day at home time. We noticed the ‘rush hour’ traffic at 5pm was a delight as it only lasted 15 mins and was very light.

FLYING TO TASMANIA

I was excited to go to Tasmania so I decided to take some photos from the plane.
It generally extremely clear and sunny so I was able to get a few good pictures.

There was one patch of clouds which looked like someone had teased out cotton wool on a blue canvas.

As we came to land I thought I'd take a picture of the contrast between land and sea.

The ocean is a beautiful blue and the land was mottled brown with occasional green patches.

In the middle of the island is a series of lakes.

Around these the land is quite lush.

However, there is a lot of farm land and it reminded me of a patchwork quilt.